Thanks Franschhoek – I am quite in love with you!

Franschhoek was frikn ama.zing! Running away to Franschoek without the kids = off the scale fabulous!

Words cannot describe, but as I was too busy eating/drinking/basking in the joy and took only a few pictures, so all I got is words. Bear with me as I bumble through.

The weather was sunny and one of the first days in Cape Town where you could walk around without being blown away or experience a Noah-style downpour. We had two gloriously warm and sunny days. We arrived in Franschoek parked in Huguenot’s road and just walked to everything.

How do you know you are having an epic day? When you have eggs benedict for breakfast and follow it up with an ice cream cone!

We only went to things in Franschhoek we could walk to.

Walked up Huguenot Road all the way up to the Memorial. I was more interested in walking around the graveyard which had some grave stones dating back 150 years or more. I am not going to get all gothic on your arse, but I do love a wander around a graveyard and reading the stones and imaging what might have happened.

We stayed at the Franschhoek Protea Hotel – which was beyond cool. It is right on Huguenot Road and we parked there and walked around for the day.

Clearly they saw me coming. We arrived to a room with Chuckles available, and Chenin Blanc on ice.

I am almost sure I hopped up and down and clapped my hands like a demented circus seal. The deal was sealed when there was a gift pack on the bed with his and her t-shirts that they had made up for us “Been there, Done that FRANSCHHOEK” t-shirts. I laughed like a drain.

How funny is that — how much of a sense of humour do the people at Franschhoek Protea Hotel have?

Kennith and I headed to lunch at French Connection. It was nice, but not blow you away brilliant. Food was good, but not wildly memorable.

Dinner was at The Common Room at Le Quartier Français – which was enough to bring you to tears. Happy tears. Excellent timing on my part as the night we were there the Le Quartier Français chef was featured on Master Chef as the Guest Chef – they asked if they could put the television on for the show.

The meal was unbelievable. Easily one of the best meals I have ever experienced. It was one of those where you order several small dishes and then pick on them.

We order a bottle of wine. I seldom have the opportunity to use the word SUBLIME, but the bottle of Miss Mollie Hoity Toitie. Oh my heavens, like liquid honey — it’s on my Xmas list to myself! Haven’t seen it before, will now be stalking the vineyard.

We got back to the hotel to find the bed turned down and a fuzzy hot water bottle neatly tucked into the bed. How brilliant is that?

Franschhoek was phenomenally brilliant. Everything was perfect in every possible way. The only person who was a bit sucky, was at a book store down the one side road. Anyone who knows me knows I love book shops – I am happy to spend my grocery allowance on books, really I am fine with it. Wine+books+chocolate what could be more perfect? Great little book store. I wandered around, we were the only clients.

I see a box that says “audio books” – so I look at the box and there are only 2 audio boxes inside it, so I am thinking maybe there are more somewhere else in the store. I look at the lady running the book shop and in my “I’m a really excited customer voice” go “Are there more audio books anywhere?”

Book store manager/owner goes: “What does it look like…..” and she gives me this withering look, basically summing my IQ into single figures.

I mumbled an apology for being alive. I aimed to browse a bit closer to the door so I could leave. Book store owner/manager/person might consider relooking at the manual of “being vaguely nice to customers …” so as not to burst the bubble that all things in Franschhoek are perfect.

We browsed through shops and bought odds and sods, and ate chocolate and that repaired my perception that Franschhoek is really the most perfect place on earth. I really enjoyed the town – I loved the fact that you could stroll – and there was enough to see without having to get into your car and drive anywhere.

Thanks Franschhoek, I am definitely a new fan. You and me must get together again really soon!

7 Comments

I would move there in a flash!! (Someone, please offer me a job that pays JHB rates.) That, the Paarl and everything round there, sooo beautiful – actually makes you proud to say you from SA. You are so lucky! And that your husband toddled around with you is even more fantastic. And all that wine and food, I would have been beside myself. Took alook at your menu pics – and prices not that bad, considering the calibre of the chefs.

The Blessed Barrenness

JoDon

Glad you enjoyed it! I just LOVE Franschhoek! Was there for the weekend past! Old buildings fascinate me and I love to gawk at them! I must go pay a visit to the graveyard next time! Is it by the monument?

I am quite a regular in Franschhoek. But only cos my sister lives there. She has her own Spa at the Mont Rochelle. You must go have a look next time you there.

And yes the chocolate place is the best! They make the best Belgian hot choc lollies in the world!

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